Discover
the world of flight simulationFlying the Winglets B737-800W

Introduction
Prior flying the first time online the installation of
the IVAO Virtual Pilot Client is required. The download
package includes TeamSpeak and MTL (Multiplayer Traffic
Library). The package is available for download on the
IVAO website. If you want to control the virtual Pilot
client by hardware some additional integration work
might be required.

IVAO Virtual Pilot
Client - IvAp
IvAp is the IVAO client for pilots. It provides a
user interface and manages data communication
with the IVAO network. Furthermore IvAp coordinates
TeamSpeak for voice communication between pilots and
air traffic controllers.
Offsets are provided for cockpit/panel builders to
allow hardware integration.

Furthermore IvAp offers
basic functionality for pushback control and a TCAS
display.

The IvAp user interface

The IvAp message window shows
the tuned and activated Comm frequency, enables the pilot to send
the flight plan, to access ATIS and other flight
relevant information.
The right section has a readout of the selected squawk code,
a switch for the transponder mode (STDBY and TX), and a pushbutton to
connect to the IVAO network.

Controlling IvAp from HardwareAs mentioned above IvAp provides some offsets for
the communication with cockpit hardware. IvAp reads
these offsets every second and writes the offsets when the data has
changed. By means of the offsets and some SIOC
scripts I can control the following IvAp functions by the
avionics hardware:

Transponder panel
with mode selection (STDBY TA/RA), encoders for
squawk code setting, and ATC IDENT push button. TCAS
Range is not used, because it is not supported by
IvAp.

The MIC SELECTOR pushbuttons are used in a different
way than at a real aircraft. With COMM1 / 2 I can
switch between the VHF radios. The selected radio
then gets active for the ATC voice communication. With the PTT1 / 2 push buttons the selection of the headset microphone (CAPT
/ FO) is managed.

The MIC SELECTOR panel with modified push button
functionality.

For IFR clearance, taxi, and take-off I select the
Ground as active frequency on the COMM2 (VHF2) radio. The Tower frequency on
COMM2 as stand-by. On COMM1(VHF2) the Approach frequency is set as active
frequency and Center is on stand-by. All what I have to do from Ground untill
handed over to the Center is, I have to push twice the transfer buttons on the
radios and switching once from COMM2 to COMM1. That makes the cockpit work much
easier and gives more room to pay attention on other things than selecting
radio frequencies. During landing I do it vice-versa.

Traffic Collision
Avoidance System
TCAS is to allow pilots to be aware of traffic which
is becoming a threat to the required
minimum separation that ATC should always apply
between different aircraft. On IVAO, the TCAS
function is also very useful, especially when flying
in busy airspace or
without any ATC coverage. I use the TCAS data from
IVAO to show the online traffic
situation around the aircraft at the PM
Navigation Display. For this it is necessary that IvAp
populates the TCAS data: